This is a bird note.

One of the rarest natural habitats in America is found in Florida.

Thousands of years ago rising sea levels isolated much of the Florida

peninsula as an island. During that long isolation a unique oak scrub

ecosystem developed. The Florida scrub jay is one among many scrub Archibald Biological Station. Eastern Toehes and loggerhead Shrikes are common in the dense scrub habitat.

But unlike the Toehee and the Shrike, Florida scrub jays are found nowhere else.

Because they're fascinating birds and quite tame around humans, the jays have been studied for many years. They live in family groups, the young of the previous year, helping to raise the current young.

This altruistic behavior seemed surprising until studies with banded birds showed that one of the young would immediately

take the place of an adult that died.

Because they depend on acorns during winter, Florida scrub jays can survive only in oak scrub.

Populations have declined by 90% because the birds have lost much of their special habitat to citrus groves, pastures, and development.

Now people are working hard to protect what remains. Birdnodes celebrates groups everywhere that are improving bird habitat.

Learn more at bird-note.